Sutherland Shire Council prepared and placed on exhibition an Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme (AHCS) and supporting evidence base report. Shelter NSW appreciated the opportunity to comment on the draft scheme and provided recommendations to strengthen the scheme as to maximise delivery of affordable housing for essential workers, families, and other low-income households living or working in the area. 

We cannot say enough that councils across Sydney metropolitan area and beyond have been left with a Herculean task of addressing housing affordability issues for their community, using the limited planning powers at their disposal. Because of this, we commend every council who has prepared an affordable housing contribution scheme to ensure inclusive development delivering high quality, high amenity housing for all.  

Our submission expressed broad in-principle for the Scheme. This being said, we continue to advocate for more ambitious inclusionary zoning schemes to be implemented, so we do not once again miss the opportunity to capture value for public benefit as rezoning, upzoning, and more broadly development occurs. Shelter NSW submission to Sutherland Shire Council focused on the benefits of applying the AHCS to all rezoning and upzoning, and not just residential flat buildings, and applying higher contribution rates. 

Interested in the specifics of Sutherland Shire Council AHCS? Access our full submission on our website.